The
September 19th opener against Nebraska was important as the 20-12
victory was the inaugural television broadcast of the College Football Game
Of The Week and it was seen nationally. Coach Cas dressed the team up for
the occasion, switching the previously used kelly green shell for one of
Green Bay gold and adding a one-inch kelly green center stripe. Improvement
also came to the season’s record, moving it up to 4-5-1. This result could
be laid at the feet of the PCC's second-ranked defense that gave up but 8.5
points per game. George Shaw for many was a true two-way All American
prospect and perhaps the best DB on the coast. Going both ways at QB and HB
on offense did not diminish his ball-hawking or tackling ability and he
showed his versatility by punting, kicking, and occasionally moving to
flanker. He caught the key TD pass in an upset win over USC. The emergence
of HB Dick James who also excelled on both sides of the line of scrimmage,
gave the Ducks a potent weapon and with Jack Patera at guard next to Ron
Phiester, and DE Emery Barnes who later joined the Packers, the line was
considered one of the conference's better ones. Finishing the 1954 season at
6-4, the Ducks posted their first winning record since the 1948 bowl season
and swept the other Northwest teams in the conference. The UO squad leaned
heavily on All American Shaw whose 1536 total yards led the nation, and he
set a UO record with 1358 passing yards. Shaw.became the NFL's number-one
draft choice, spending four years with the Colts until his starting position
was usurped by Johnny Unitas and then moved to the Giants where Y.A. Tittle
took his spot. He completed an eight-year pro career with the expansion
Vikings and the AFL Broncos but it was his collegiate career that became his
legacy where he was an All American in both football and baseball. Noted as
Oregon’s most versatile player, he was the Webfoots’ QB, HB, flanker,
safety, place kicker, kickoff man, punter, and punt returner! Patera was an
All PCC pick at guard, also going to the Colts with Shaw where Weeb Ewbank
converted him into an active LB. After three seasons with Baltimore and two
with the Cardinals, Patera became the starting MLB for the expansion Dallas
Cowboys but an injury brought Jerry Tubbs into his slot and he could not get
back to full speed in '61. Turning to coaching, he developed the Fearsome
Foursome of the Rams and the Purple People Eaters of the Vikings before
becoming the head coach of the new Seattle Seahawks where he ran the
tightest of ships from their inception in 1976 until the midst of the strike
shortened season of '82 where his relationship with his players fell apart
over the strike. Patera retired from coaching, but is still known as a
member of Oregon's Hall Of Fame and as former Olympic weightlifter and pro
wrestler Ken Patera's older brother. Phiester again was a stand-out at
center. Dick James, like Shaw, was a two-way threat, scoring sixty-six
points for the season.

The Ducks
slow start in ’55 was balanced by a fine finish, winning five of the final
six games to complete their second consecutive 6-4 slate. With QB Shaw gone
to the Baltimore Colts. Tom Crabtree took the reins and did well, utilizing
All Conference soph HB Jim Shanley and short and strong HB James to pound
the ball. The ground game put up a huge 2527 rushing yards with Shanley
getting 711 of those and James another 596. James went to the Redskins in
'56 and his pro career peaked in 1961 when he scored four TD's against the
Cowboys for a Redskins' record. He gained a measure of notoriety when he was
traded to the Giants in '64 as part of the infamous Sam Huff deal that
brought the great LB to the 'Skins. James played another season with the
Vikings and as a player-coach for a number of minor league football teams
before retiring.

If interested in any of these Oregon helmets please click on the
photos below.